Starting on January 1, 2024, the Canada Agri-Food Pilot will begin accepting new applications. This pilot program has an annual limit of 2,750 applications.
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Canada Agri-Food Pilot is designed to provide experienced, non-seasonal workers in specific industries a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
Originally introduced as a three-year experiment in 2020, the Agri-Food Pilot was extended until May 14, 2025, in May 2023. In the same year, two important changes were made to make it easier for eligible candidates.
Firstly, family members of those applying to the Agri-Food Pilot can now apply for Canadian open work permits. This means that not only the primary applicant but also their family members have an opportunity to work in Canada.
Secondly, Canadian immigration authorities will now accept union reference letters instead of employer reference letters to verify an applicant’s work experience. This change aims to accommodate those in unionized positions.
Eligibility Criteria for Canada Agri-Food Pilot
To be eligible for permanent residency under the Agri-Food Pilot, individuals, whether in Canada or abroad, must meet the following criteria:
- Have at least one year of cumulative, non-seasonal, full-time experience in the last three years, equivalent to at least 1,560 hours over 52 weeks, in one or more eligible agri-food occupations.
- The experience must be gained through a minimum 12-month LMIA-based work permit.
- Secure a job offer for a full-time, permanent, non-seasonal position in a qualifying occupation within one of the eligible agri-food industries.
- Hold a Canadian high school diploma or an equivalent education assessment.
- Demonstrate sufficient settlement funds to support themselves and their family members in Canada.
If the applicant is currently employed under a work permit in Canada, there is no need to prove settlement funds.
- Possess a minimum language proficiency (English or French) of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) Level 4.
Acceptable Proofs of Work Experience
Applicants can provide the following documents as proof of work experience:
- Employer or union reference letter.
- Union reference letters are specific to unionized positions.
- Letter of employment.
- T4.
- Paystubs.
Eligible Occupations for the Agri-Food Pilot
The following occupations are eligible for the Agri-Food Pilot:
For Meat Product Manufacturing (NAICS 3116):
- Butchers: retail and wholesale (NOC 63201).
- Meat cutters and fishmongers, retail and wholesale (NOC 65202).
- Industrial butchers and meat cutters, poultry preparers, and related workers (NOC 94141).
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030).
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120).
- Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100).
- Labourers in food and beverage processing (NOC 95106).
For Greenhouse, Nursery, and Floriculture Production, Including Mushroom Production (NAICS 1114):
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030).
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120).
- Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100).
- Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101).
For Animal Production, Excluding Aquaculture (NAICS 1121, 1122, 1123, 1124, and 1129):
- Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors (NOC 82030).
- Specialized livestock workers and farm machinery operators (NOC 84120).
- Livestock Labourers (NOC 85100).
- Harvesting Labourers (NOC 85101).
How to Apply for the Canadian Agri-Food Pilot
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for the Canadian Agri-Food Pilot by visiting the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. Download the complete application guide by clicking this link.
